ES2746933T3 - Wire separation module with a capacitive sensor device - Google Patents

Abstract

A yarn separation module (200), comprising a yarn separation device (300) for separating a predetermined number of yarns (2), preferably a single yarn (2), from a layer of yarns (2.1, 2.2) , and a capacitive sensor device (1) for monitoring the separation result of the wires, in particular the number of wires (2) actually separated, wherein the wire separation device (300) is configured to transfer a portion of the length of the separate wire (s) in a monitoring volume (16) similar to a gap of a monitoring capacitor (11) of the capacitive sensing device (1), the monitoring volume (16) being formed similar to a gap between a first electrode (13) and a second electrode (15, 15 ') of the monitoring capacitor (11) directed towards each other and spaced transversely to a longitudinal direction (L) of the portion of the length of (the ) separate thread (s) when extended through of the monitoring volume (16) of the monitoring capacitor (11), wherein the capacitive sensor device (1) further comprises at least two support surfaces (55, 56) to support the separate wire (s) (s), the two support surfaces (55, 56) being spaced along the longitudinal direction (L) and fixed relative to the first and second electrodes (13, 15, 15 '), the monitoring volume being arranged (16) of the monitoring capacitor (11) at least partially between the two support surfaces (55, 56).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Wire separation module with a capacitive sensor device

The present invention relates to a wire separation module with a wire separation device and a capacitive sensor device for monitoring the result of the wire separation process. The invention furthermore relates to a warp tucking machine as well as to a warp knotting machine or crosshead machine, comprising at least one such thread separation module.

Yarn separation, in particular separation of individual yarns from a warp sheet, is an essential operational step necessary in many weaving preparation processes and systems, such as in warp knotting or automatic tuck machines. Warp knotting machines are used to knot a first yarn from an old warp sheet that has been woven on a loom, with a second yarn from a new warp sheet to be woven later on the loom. The threads of the two warp sheets are typically stretched on a so-called frame or clamping device, where the individual threads are in close proximity to each other. Before knotting, an individual yarn must be separated from each warp sheet in front of the knotting machine, then knot the two separated yarns together and finally pull the knotted yarns out. This process must be repeated for all threads of two warp sheets. Warp tuck machines are used for automatic tucking of warp yarns into corresponding elements (comb, riders, healds) of a weaving machine harness. For this, the threads are also arranged on at least one warp sheet stretched on a holding frame. Before being tucked, a predetermined number of yarns, in particular a single yarn, must be separated from the warp sheet in preparation for the following operating steps. Different solutions have been proposed for these separation processes. For example, EP 2 881 506 A1 describes a yarn separating device capable of separating yarns from a warp sheet by a rotating spindle device. Alternatively, EP 1 383 949 B1 describes a separating device that uses a suction nozzle to capture a predetermined number of yarns from a warp sheet, in particular a single yarn.

To monitor the result of the yarn separation, i.e. to monitor the number of yarns actually separated with respect to the actually desired number of yarns to be separated by the yarn separating device, the separating device as described in EP document 2881 506 A1 includes a detection device, such as a camera or a voltage measurement device. Although cameras can provide a lot of reliable or additional information, for example the number of threads, color, type of thread, etc., they are quite expensive. However, voltage measurement devices, such as piezo-electric voltage detectors, are often not fast enough for some applications.

Capacitive wire detection is based on the modification of the electric field of a capacitor in a capacitive sensor by a wire placed inside the measurement capacitor (that is, between two electrodes), depending on the modification of the wire properties such as dimension, material, etc. The capacitive sensor provides an output signal depending on the modified capacitance of the sensor. EP 0401 600 B1 describes a capacitive sensor that is used in association with an optical sensor to detect irregularities along a wire that extends in a monitoring volume similar to a gap between two plate electrodes of a capacitive sensor. When the wire is extended along its longitudinal extension through the gap-like monitoring volume of the capacitive sensor during detection, variations along the length of the wire can be reliably detected. On the other hand, if the threads are introduced successively in the monitoring volume similar to a gap, the results will be different depending on the actual position of the thread within the monitoring volume. The structure of EP 0401 600 B1 is therefore not well suited to capacitively monitor the outcome of the separation process.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wire separation module with a fast, compact and inexpensive sensor device, which is capable of monitoring the result of a separation process, in particular to provide reliable information on the number of wires separated by the yarn separation device from a yarn layer or warp sheet, respectively.

This object is solved by a wire separation module according to claim 1, Other aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In accordance with the invention, the wire separation module comprises a wire separation device and a capacitive sensor device for monitoring the result of wire separation, in particular the number of wires actually separated. The yarn separation device is configured to separate a predetermined number of yarns, preferably an individual yarn, from one layer of yarns, and transfer at least a portion of the length of the separated yarn (s) to a volume monitoring gap similar to a capacitor sensor device monitoring capacitor. The gap-like monitoring volume is formed between a first electrode and a second monitoring capacitor electrode that are facing each other and that are spaced transversely to a longitudinal direction of the length portion of the separated wire (s) (s) when extending (s) through the supervisory capacitor supervisory volume. The supervisory capacitor, and therefore its supervisory volume, is configured such that it is open to the outside of the capacitive sensor on both sides with respect to the longitudinal direction as well as in a direction opposite to a transverse insertion direction to the longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to insert a separate wire or separate wires to be monitored transversely s their longitudinal extension along the direction of the insert in the monitoring volume of the monitoring capacitor, being able to be arranged / placed in a monitoring position, in which the (the ) wire (s) passes through the supervisory gap-like supervisory volume through both sides open with respect to the longitudinal direction and is (are) supported by the two support surfaces , such that at least the wire length portion is arranged / positioned within the supervisory volume of the supervisory capacitor. The steering insert is defined as a tangent of the wire path inserted from outside the capacitive sensor into the monitoring volume of the monitoring capacitor.

To place the wire (s) in a supervisory position within the supervisory capacitor supervisory volume, in particular relative to the first electrode and the second electrode, the capacitive sensor device further comprises at least two support surfaces for supporting the separate thread (s). According to the invention, the two support surfaces are spaced along the longitudinal direction. According to the invention, the two support surfaces are fixed relative to the first electrode and the second electrode. The monitoring volume of the monitoring capacitor is arranged at least partially between the two support surfaces. In this way, when the separated wire is supported by the support surfaces, the portion of the length of the separated wire that extends between the two support surfaces along the longitudinal direction intersects the monitoring volume of the monitoring capacitor. In this way it influences the electric field of the supervisory capacitor. The two support surfaces are additionally provided to the electrodes. The two support surfaces are provided on the sensor device, in such a way that the support surfaces follow the forward movement of the separating device in relation to the yarn layer. In accordance with the present invention, it has been recognized that - in contrast to capacitive detection of variations of a yarn parameter along its length extension, known from the prior art, where the yarn extends through the volume similar to a gap of the capacitive sensor during detection - it is highly critical for the reliable monitoring of the result of a wire separation process that each wire to be monitored is retained / arranged / placed in almost the same position within the monitoring volume of the capacitive sensor monitoring capacitor. This is due to the circumstances that for monitoring a wire separation process individual wires or groups of wires are placed one behind the other in the capacitive sensor device, causing the capacitive measurement - even if it is still the same type Strand - be different for each strand monitoring event, if there was no support delimiting the movement of the strand (s) relative to the capacitive sensor electrodes at least in the insertion direction. As described above with respect to the prior art, the threads are typically over-tensioned during the separation processes. Therefore, the sensor device is preferably arranged relative to the wires to be monitored such that the overvoltage is effective at least partially in the direction of insertion, causing the wires to positively rest / rest against the two surfaces of Support under the over-voltage load.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least two support surfaces may be configured to define a common plane that intersects the first and second electrodes of the monitoring capacitor. The common plane is tangent to each support surface. Preferably each joint of the two support surfaces extends at least partially in the common plane. In that case, the intersection between each support surface and the common plane is at least one line transverse to the longitudinal direction in the event that the support surfaces are rounded, or at most a portion of a plane in the event that the two support surfaces are flat or coplanar. Due to such a configuration of the support surfaces, the capacitive sensor device is compatible with different wire diameters.

The monitoring volume and / or each of the first and second monitoring capacitor electrodes can be spread over both sides of the common plane. This allows vibrating movements of the wire - when it is supported on the support surfaces - at least in a direction perpendicular to the common plane - particularly in the supervision volume, between the two support surfaces, within the electric field of the supervision capacitor . The vibrating movements of the wire induce a variation in the electric field that can be measured and thus provide information on the wire to be monitored, for example information on the wire tension.

The common plane may intersect the first and second electrodes of the monitoring capacitor at mid-height with respect to the respective height extension of the first and second electrodes, the height direction extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, especially perpendicular to the common plane .

Preferably, the first electrode and / or the second electrode of the monitoring capacitor extend at least over the entire longitudinal spacing between the two bearing surfaces of the capacitive sensing device, such that a maximum of the supported wire length portion that It extends between the two support surfaces is in the electric field of the supervising capacitor.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the wire separation device is configured to transfer a length portion of the separated wire (s) to the monitoring volume of the monitoring capacitor in an insertion direction. Each support surface may comprise a flat surface portion that faces away from the insertion direction and is perpendicular to the insertion direction.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode and the second electrode of the monitoring capacitor may be configured to define, respectively, or may comprise a geometry defining, respectively, a first electrode plane and a second plane of electrode, respectively. Each support surface can extend perpendicular to the first plane of the electrode and / or to the second plane of the electrode.

The first electrode plane and the second electrode plane can either be parallel or relatively inclined to each other. With tilted electrodes, the angle between the first electrode plane and the second electrode plane can be between 10 ° and 25 °, preferably 18 °. In particular, the inclination is such that the two inclined electrodes converge in the insertion direction. With inclined electrode planes, the supervising capacitor is advantageously compatible with different wire diameters. The capacitor is also well adapted for movements from one side of the wire to the other perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The inclination of the electrode planes can also allow the compactness of the supervising capacitor and the capacitive sensing device: Since the first and second electrode plates diverge in the opposite direction of the insert direction, having a bell effect, the capacitor monitoring device and the capacitive sensor device as a whole can be arranged slightly inclined with respect to the insertion direction. In order to further increase the compactness of the sensor device, the two support surfaces, and especially the common plane defined by the two support surfaces, may be substantially perpendicular to the first electrode plane or the second electrode plane. Additionally, each support surface may comprise a flat surface portion parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wire portion that extends between the two support surfaces and transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the insertion direction.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, each of the two support surfaces of the capacitive sensor device, and in particular the common plane defined by the two support surfaces of the capacitive sensor, deviates from a plane in the that a layer of yarns should be arranged relative to the separation device for yarn separation. In other words, each of the two support surfaces, and in particular the common plane, is positioned at a certain distance or spacing from the plane of the strand layer in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the strand layer.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the wire separation module further comprises at least one stop surface for the one or more wires to abut against it when they extend through the capacitor monitoring volume. supervision. In combination with the two support surfaces, the at least one stop surface can delimit a pitch for at least a portion of the length of the wire to be detected within the supervision volume of the supervision capacitor at a specific distance from the first and / or second electrodes and other parts of the monitoring capacitor and capacitive sensing device, respectively, thereby avoiding wear on those parts. Preferably, the stop surface and support surfaces are over formed on metal parts or produced from metal to make these surfaces well adapted for repetitive contact with the wires. The stop surface can define a stop plane that intersects the two support surfaces or the common support plane, respectively, and extends at an angle between 90 ° and 105 ° with respect to the two support surfaces, preferably at a 90 ° angle. The stop plane extends between the first and second electrodes of the monitoring capacitor and is spaced from the first and second electrodes of the monitoring capacitor in a direction perpendicular to the stop plane. By having an angle between the stop surface and the support surfaces in this range, the yarns to be monitored can always come into contact with both the support surfaces and the stop surface, thus providing very reliable comparison results even for Different wires placed one after the other in the supervisory volume of the supervisory capacitor.

When the wire is in contact with the support surfaces and the stop surface, the wire extends at a distance from the first and second electrodes of the monitoring capacitor. The stop for the threads can be made by a flat front surface of the support that also forms the at least one support surface. The edges of the stop surfaces as well as the support surfaces may be rounded.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the capacitive sensor device may further comprise a compensation capacitor, which is preferably substantially the same as the monitoring capacitor, in particular with respect to electro-dynamic properties, such as capacitance, resistance , impedance, geometry, etc. The compensation capacitor allows considering and compensating environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, etc., and can serve as a reference to analyze the signal induced in the supervisory capacitor. The compensation capacitor also comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode of the compensation capacitor form a monitoring volume similar to a gap between them. All the electrodes of the capacitive sensor device are preferably aligned in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, in particular in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In other words, the electrodes of the capacitive sensor are juxtaposed in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, in particular in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The second electrode of the supervision capacitor and the second electrode of the compensation electrode can be made by a common electrode, which further increases the compactness of the sensing device and makes it easier to make the compensation capacitor substantially equal to the supervision capacitor.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the first electrode of the supervisory capacitor and / or of the compensation capacitor comprises a preferably curved metallic conductor wire. The use of a wire electrode increases the sensitivity of the capacitor. Alternatively or additionally, the second electrode of the monitoring capacitor and / or of the compensating capacitor may comprise a metallic conductive plate, respectively. Likewise, the common electrode can comprise a metallic conductive plate. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the invention, the first and / or the second electrodes of the monitoring capacitor and / or the first and / or the second electrode of the compensating capacitor are retained by an insulating member.

Preferably, all of the electrodes of the capacitive sensor are retained by a common insulating member. The insulating member is typically made of plastic and provides isolation of each electrode from the others, so that there is no contact between the electrodes.

According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode of the monitoring capacitor is formed by a metallic coating on an insulating member, preferably made of plastic. This metal coating is electrically conductive. It conforms to the shape of the insulating member. Preferably, the surface of the insulating member, which is coated, is a flat surface. Preferably, all the electrodes (supervisory capacitor and compensation capacitor) of the capacitive sensor are formed by a metallic coating on a common insulating member. The insulating member provides isolation of each electrode from the others, so that there is no contact between the electrodes.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the capacitive sensor device may comprise a housing. The housing surrounds or houses (at least partially) the supervisory capacitor with the first and second electrodes and - in the present case - the isolation member and the compensating capacitor. The two support surfaces are formed by the housing, on which an insulating member is attached which retains the first and second electrodes of the supervising capacitor. The two support surfaces delimit the longitudinal sides of a housing insertion slot to insert wires from the outside of the housing into the monitoring volume of the monitoring capacitor. In particular, when the monitoring volume of the compensation capacitor is placed inside the housing, this allows the influence of other environmental parameters to be minimized. In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the two support surfaces are formed by a housing that surrounds (at least partially) the supervising capacitor with the first and second electrodes and - in the present case - the insulation member and the compensation capacitor. When the insulating member with the electrodes is fixed with the housing, the two support surfaces are fixed relative to the electrodes supported by the insulating member. Alternatively, the two support surfaces may be formed on the insulating plastic member. The formation of the support surfaces on the housing provides the advantage that a material with higher hardness than the material of the insulating member can be selected, so that the wear caused by repetitive contacts with the separated wires to be monitored is reduced.

Furthermore, the capacitive sensor device may comprise an electronic circuit operatively connected to the first and second electrodes of the monitoring capacitor and - in the present case - to the first and second electrodes of the compensating capacitor. The electronic circuit is configured to generate a signal on one electrode (emitter) of the capacitor and for reading and processing signals that the capacitive sensor provides based on the signal induced on the other electrode (receiver) of the corresponding capacitor. Regarding the supervision capacitor, the induced signal depends on the number of wires (s) within the supervision volume of the supervision capacitor. The electronic circuit may comprise a signal generator used to apply a voltage to the capacitor (s), in particular to the respective first electrode (receiver) of the supervisory capacitor and of the compensation capacitor, where each electrode can be supplied with a different tension. The electronic circuit may further comprise a demodulator electrically connected to the generator and to the receiving electrode (s) of the supervisory capacitor and compensation capacitor, a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) to provide an analog signal amplified from the demodulated signal coming from the receiving electrode (s), and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to convert the amplified signal into a digital output signal. At least parts of the electronic circuit including the Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) are housed in the housing of the capacitive sensor device. The signal generator, demodulator, PGA and / or ADC are preferably also housed within the housing housing the supervisory capacitor, in order to protect sensitive components from disturbances and to reduce the need for, and therefore the possible disturbing influence of long wiring.

Advantageously, the PGA facilitates increasing the sensitivity of the capacitive sensor for compatibility with all types of wires, in particular of different diameters.

In general, the capacitive sensor device according to the present invention can be configured to detect more parameters than the absence / presence of a single wire or a plurality of wires. For example, it can be configured to provide more information about the wire such as wire diameter (the larger the diameter, the higher the induced signal), wire tension (depending on the behavior of the wire within the monitoring volume of the monitoring capacitor , such as wire vibrations influencing the induced signal).

Furthermore, in accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the spacer module, the spacer device comprises at least one rotary spindle having an external helical notch, a rear surface and a release edge at the intersection between the helical notch and the rear surface. Preferably, the capacitive sensing device is positioned behind the spindle with one of the first and second monitoring capacitor electrodes placed within the spindle. This helps reduce the size of the separation module and directly transfer the separated wires from the release edge to the supervisory volume of the supervisory capacitor.

Naturally, the compensation capacitor can be placed inside the spindle. In addition, a spindle drive shaft can be extended through the capacitive sensor for compactness of the entire separation module.

Furthermore, a curved shape / portion of the first electrode (wiring) of the supervising capacitor can follow a circumferentially curved geometry of the spindle to detect the presence of wire as soon as possible after the wire has been released from the spindle. This allows the separation device to be stopped for a second measurement (to determine the actual number of wires released from the spindle and extending into the supervising capacitor) before another wire is released from the spindle into the capacitor monitoring volume. supervision. Furthermore, the curved shape / portion of the first electrode (wiring) of the supervising capacitor can extend in a plane perpendicular to a direction of advance of the separating device relative to the strand layer.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a rear face of the rotation spindle serves as a stop surface. Instead of by the rear surface of the spindle, the support for the wire in the forward direction can be carried out by flat front surfaces of supports that form the two support surfaces of the wire that extends in the supervising capacitor, that is, by two support surfaces for the thread in the forward direction. These support surfaces on the supports may be rounded. The angle between a plane formed by the support surface (s) and the support surfaces can be between 90 ° and 105 °.

Alternatively, the separation device may comprise a suction nozzle, for example, as described in EP 1383949 B1. In that case, the separated wire is separated from the sheet by the nozzle and is brought into contact in the supervision volume of the supervision capacitor with the two support surfaces. If the suction nozzle deflects the yarn within the plane of the warp foil, the insertion direction of the separated yarn in the supervision volume of the supervising capacitor also extends in the plane of the warp foil. Contact with the support surfaces can be maintained by the nozzle which still sucks the wire.

The present invention further relates to a warp tucking machine, comprising at least one yarn separation module according to the present invention, as described above. Preferably, a warp tuck machine controller is operatively connected to the capacitive sensing device of the at least one yarn separation module. The controller may also control a drive of clamps that insert the separated yarn into harness elements of a knitting machine. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a warp knotting machine for joining yarns of two different yarn layers, the warp knotting machine comprising a respective yarn separating module according to the invention for each of the two yarn layers. Preferably, a warp knotting machine controller is operatively connected to the capacitive sensing device of each thread separator module. The warp knotting machine controller may also be operatively connected to the spacer device.

The warp knotting machine according to the invention may further comprise a yarn transfer device associated with each yarn separator module for drawing yarn (s) from the sensor device monitoring volume, the knotting machine controller warp is operatively connected to a drive of the yarn transfer device.

The capacitive sensor device can also be used to monitor the separation results of a crosshead machine and, in general, of all machines that must separate yarns from a layer of yarns. In that case, the result of the separation coming from the capacitive sensor is an input from the control of the separation device.

The invention will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an example of a warp tucking machine with two separation modules, each of which is equipped with a capacitive sensor device according to a first or second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the separation module according to a first exemplary embodiment.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the electrode arrangement of the capacitive sensor according to Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the separation module according to figure 2.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the arrangement according to Figure 2 along cross line C in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of a separation module according to a second exemplary embodiment.

Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the electrode arrangement of the second exemplary embodiment according to Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the separation module according to figure 6 along cross line C in figure 6.

Figure 9 shows a schematic electrical diagram of the warp tuck machine according to Figure 1 with two capacitive sensors and a main controller of the warp tuck machine; Y

Figure 10 shows an isometric view of the wire separation module according to a third exemplary embodiment.

Figure 1 shows an example of a warp tucking machine 100 with two separation modules 200, each of which is equipped with a separation device 300 and a capacitive sensor device 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. . Before the warp tucking process, threads 2 of a warp topsheet 2.1 and a warp bottom sheet 2.2 are clamped and tensioned in a top and bottom clamping device 111, 112, so that a warp topsheet 2.1 and a warp bottom sheet 2.2 are separated from each other. The warp topsheet 2.1 and the warp bottom sheet 2.2 define, respectively, a P2.1 plane and a P2.2 plane, respectively. The purpose of the warp tuck machine 100 is to separate a yarn 2 from the warp topsheet 2.1 and a yarn 2 from the warp bottom sheet 2.2 and to make a joint (knot) between the two separate yarns 2. This should be repeated for all threads 2 of sheets 2.1, 2.2. The warp tuck machine 100 is positioned on the fastening devices 111, 112 with two of its drives 101, 102 controlling the relative position between a warp tuck machine frame 103 and the warp sheets 2.1,2.2 (in a feed direction A of the warp tucking machine 100 relative to the warp sheets 2.1,2.2).

The warp tucking machine 100 comprises two separation modules 200, each of which includes a respective separation device 300. Each spacing device 300 includes an individual spindle 301 with an external helical notch 305 driven by a dedicated drive 303.1, 303.2 through a rotatable spindle shaft 302 about an axis of rotation R. Spindle 301 has a rear surface 306 in the opposite side of the warp sheet 2.1,2.2 along the feed direction A and a release edge 304 at the intersection of the root of the helical notch 305 and the rear surface 306. Such a separating device is basically known from the prior art, for example from EP 2881 506 A1. Furthermore, each separation module 200 includes a capacitive sensor device 1 in accordance with the present invention, which is used in association with a respective separation device 300 to capacitively monitor the results of the separation, i.e. to determine whether the process of separation of the respective separation device 300 provides or not a predetermined number of threads to be separated. Therefore, in the event that an individual wire needs to be separated, the capacitive sensor device 1 allows verifying whether a separation process has provided one or more than one wire.

Each capacitive sensor device 1 basically comprises an electrode arrangement 10 (in particular, see figure 3 or figure 7), an electronic circuit 30 (in particular, see figure 9), and a housing 50 (in particular, see the figure 2).

A first embodiment of the capacitive sensor device 1 is now explained in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 5. In particular, Figure 3 illustrates the electrode arrangement 10 in detail. The capacitive sensor device 1 comprises two capacitors: a supervisory capacitor 11 and a reference capacitor or Compensation 12. In the present embodiment, both capacitors 11, 12 comprise a first (emitter) electrode 13, 14 formed by a curved metal wire. The wires of the emitting electrode have a circular cross section (the same cross section for both electrodes 13, 14). Furthermore, both capacitors 11, 12 have a common metal plate electrode 15 (receiver electrode) representing the respective second electrode of both capacitors 11, 12. The plate electrode 15 defines two opposite flat surfaces facing the first electrode 13 and towards the first electrode 14, respectively, along a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L and along a direction transverse to the insertion direction I. The first wire electrode 13 (emitting electrode) of the monitoring capacitor 11 and the plate electrode (common) 15 are spaced from each other to form between them a monitoring volume 16 similar to an elongated gap of the monitoring capacitor 11, in which a length portion of a wire can be extended along a longitudinal direction L. The first wire electrode 14 (emitting electrode) of the compensation capacitor 12 and the plate electrode (common) 15 is n also spaced from each other transverse to a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction L to form a monitoring volume 17 similar to a gap between them, which belongs to the compensation capacitor 12 and is elongated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction L .

All electrodes 13, 14, 15 are retained by a common insulation member 18 such that electrodes 13, 14, 15 are stationary relative to insulation member 18. Electrodes 13, 14, 15 are aligned in a direction transverse to longitudinal direction L. Insulation member 18 is made of plastic and spaces each electrode 13, 14, 15 from each other, so that there is no contact between electrodes 13, 14, 15. The monitoring volume 16 similar to a gap in the supervising capacitor 11 only contains air in the event that no wire extends through it. The electric field between the first and second electrodes 13, 15 permeates the monitoring volume 16 similar to a gap. The electric field between the first and second electrodes 14, 15 permeates the monitoring volume 17 similar to a gap. The isolation member 18 comprises corresponding support notches 19 for each of the electrodes 13, 14, 15 that must be retained by them. The two wire electrodes 13, 14 have basically the same curved shape and comprise two side arms 13.1, 14.1 to engage the insulating member 18, and a central curved portion 13.2, 14.2. Plate electrode 15 also includes two side arms 15.1 to be retained on insulating member 18. In addition, insulating member 18 comprises two rear tabs 18.1 for positioning and mounting insulating member 18 within housing 50.4 of housing 50.

The curved shape / geometry of the metal wire of the first electrode (emitter) 13 of the monitoring capacitor 11 defines a median plane P13 that is inclined relative to a median plane P15 defined by the common electrode plate 15. The same angle occurs between a median plane P14 defined by curved wire electrode 14 of compensation capacitor 12 and plane P15 of plate electrode 15. Plane P13 of electrode 13, plane P15 of electrode 15 and plane P14 of electrode 14 are parallel to each other . In the present example, the angle between each wire plane P13, P14 and plane P15 is around 18 °, preferably between 10 ° and 25 °. The plane P13 of electrode 13 is perpendicular to the direction of advance A and the axes of rotation R.

The monitoring volume 16 of the monitoring capacitor 11 - when the electrodes 13, 15 are retained by the insulating member 18 in the housing 50 - communicates with the exterior of the capacitive sensor 1 on both sides with respect to the longitudinal direction L. The exterior of the electrode arrangement 10 also communicates with monitoring volume 16 in an insertion direction I transverse to the longitudinal direction L and extending between the two electrodes 13, 15 of the monitoring capacitor 11. Insulating member 18 closes the monitoring volume 16 on the other side along the insertion direction I. The insertion direction I is directed from outside the capacitive sensor 1 into the monitoring volume 16. In the described embodiment with the separating device 300 which comprises the spindle 301, the insertion direction I is vertical and perpendicular to the plane of the associated warp sheet P2.1, P2.2. In particular, the insertion direction I is perpendicular to the feed direction A. This allows the separating device 300 to transfer one wire or several wires 2 to be monitored through their length extension in the insertion direction I in the volume of supervision 16, being able to be arranged / placed in a supervisory position, in which the wire (s) 2 to be supervised passes through the supervision volume 16 similar to a gap through both sides open to the along the longitudinal direction L, such that at least a portion of the length of the wire 2 is arranged / located within the monitoring volume 16. The insulating member 18 closes the monitoring volume 16 of the monitoring capacitor 11 and the volume monitoring 17 of the compensation capacitor 12 in the direction of convergence of the electrode planes.

The housing 50 of the capacitive sensor device 1 houses the electrodes 13, 14, 15, the insulating member 18 and at least parts of an electronic circuit 30 for reading the capacitive sensor device 1. The housing is preferably made of metal, for example aluminum or steel. Furthermore, the housing 50 has a through hole 51 through which the spindle shaft 302 which drives the spindle 301 extends. The housing 50 further comprises an insertion slot 52 through which the exterior of the housing 50 can communicate with the interior of the housing 50.

Two supports 53, 54 of the casing 50 form the longitudinal sides of the slot 52. These two supports 53, 54 also form two support surfaces 55, 56, which are provided according to the invention to support one or more threads 2 to monitor within monitoring volume 16 of monitoring capacitor 11. According thus, both supports 53, 54 are spaced in the longitudinal direction L, each of which has at least one support surface 55, 56 fixed relative to the first (emitter) electrode and the second (common) electrode 13, 15 of the monitoring capacitor 11, when the capacitive sensor device 1 is mounted ready, with the monitoring volume 16 extending at least partially between the two support surfaces 55, 56 along the longitudinal direction L. Each support surface 55, 56 forms the bottom of a U-shaped opening formed by the supports 53, 54 and pointing in a direction opposite to the insertion direction I to support threads 2 at least in the insertion direction I. The U-shaped openings of the supports 53, 24 are open to the outside of the housing 50 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction I.

In addition, of the respective flat support surface 55, 56, each support 53, 54 has a flat front surface 57 and a flat rear surface 58, which together delimit the opening of the U-shaped cross section of the supports 53, 54 in a transverse plane, and in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. In the longitudinal direction L, both support surfaces 55, 56 are arranged as close as possible to each other. Preferably, the longitudinal distance between the two supports 53, 54 is less than the outer diameter of the spindle 301 at the release edge 304. In the present example, the longitudinal distance between the two supports 53, 54 reaches approximately 12 mm. The width (along the direction of advance A) of each support surface 55, 56 is preferably greater than the maximum diameter of a wire to be detected by the capacitive sensor device 1. Typical wire diameters are in the order of 1 mm. Therefore, the width of each support surface 55, 56 amounts to approximately 1.5 mm in the present example. Each flat front surface 57 intersects the respective support surface 55, 56 of each support 53, 54. The angle a between the flat front surface 57 and the flat support surface 55, 56, measured at the U-shaped opening of the supports 53, 54, is 90 ° in the present example, but can generally be any angle between 90 ° and 105 °. The housing 50, the insulating member 18 and the electrodes 13, 14, 15 form a measuring head of the capacitive sensor device 1.

Figure 9 illustrates in an exemplary manner the electronic circuit 30 of the capacitive sensor device 1 as generally known from document Ep 0129076 B1, which also describes an example of electronic processing of the induced signal in a capacitive sensor device 1. Electronic circuit 30 is operatively connected to electrodes 13, 14, 15. Capacitive sensor device 1 is wired to a power supply (not shown). The electronic circuit 30 comprises a signal generator 31 used to apply a voltage to each first (emitter) electrode 13, 14 (each electrode may be supplied with a different voltage) of the supervisory capacitor and of the compensation capacitor 11, 12, respectively , a demodulator 32 operatively connected to generator 31 and common receiver electrode 15, a programmable gain amplifier 33 (PGA) to provide an amplified analog signal of the demodulated signal coming from receiver electrode 15, a digital analog converter 34 (ADC ) to convert the amplified signal from the programmable gain amplifier 33 to a digital output signal. The signal generator 31, the demodulator 32, the PGA 33 and the ADC 34 are housed within the housing 50 of the capacitive sensor device 1.

Due to the electronic circuit 30 connected to the electrodes 13, 14, 15, the capacitive sensor device 1 is capable of providing a signal that depends on the signal induced in the receiving electrode 15 and, therefore, depends on the wire (s) ( s) in the supervision volume 16 during the measurement of the induced signal that allows to capacitively monitor the presence and the number of the wires in the supervision volume 16. The compensation capacitor 12 is used for reference of the induced signal, independently of environmental parameters, for example ambient temperature, humidity, etc.

Returning to the assembly of the first embodiment of the capacitive sensor device 1 as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, the insulating member 18 is retained in position within the housing 50 by the rear flanges 18.1, preferably by means of at minus two stops 18/50 / L in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction L and two stops 18/50/1 in opposite directions along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the forward direction A. front cap 50.1 closes (eg with screws) the front opening of the housing 50 through which the insulating member 18 equipped with electrodes 13, 14, 15 is inserted into the housing 50 and retains the insulating member 18 sandwiched between a casing shoulder 50.5 (back) and front cap 5.1 along direction of travel A. Two opposite side caps 50.2 close the opposite side openings of the casing 50 (for example, by tor rings) and achieve correct positioning of the insulating member 18 relative to the housing 50 in the longitudinal direction L. With this assembly, the insulating member 18 and thus the electrodes 13, 14, 15 are precisely fixed relative to to housing 50, and therefore to two supports 53, 54. Front cap 50.1 has a through hole 50.3 to allow driven shaft 302 of spindle 301 to pass therethrough. Except for through hole 51 and slot 52, housing 50 is closed.

The two support surfaces 55, 56 of the supports 53, 54 together define a common plane 59 that is tangent to both support surfaces 55, 56 (and parallel to the longitudinal direction L) and partially extends in the monitoring volume 16 of the supervisory capacitor 11. The two flat support surfaces 55, 56 extend in the common plane 59. The common plane 59 extends between the two supports 53, 54 and between the two support surfaces 55, 56 and is tangent to the length portion of the wire 2 that rests on the two support surfaces 55, 56. The common plane 59 is perpendicular to the plane P13 of the first electrode (emitter) 13 of the monitoring capacitor 11. Generally, each support surface 55, 56 extends at an angle of 90 ° to 115 ° with the P13 plane of the first electrode 13 and with the P15 plane of the second electrode 15. Advantageously, each support surface 55, 56 extends in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction I. The common plane 59 defined by the support surfaces 55, 56 is also inclined relative to the P15 plane of the common plate-like electrode 15. The plane defined by each of the flat support surfaces 55, 56 intersects both electrodes, the first electrode 13, and the common electrode 15 of the supervisory capacitor. In particular, the common plane 59 intersects the first electrode 13 and the second electrode 15 of the monitoring capacitor 11. The monitoring volume 16 is partially open to the outside of the capacitive sensor 1 on the two longitudinal sides through the U-shaped openings of the supports 53, 54 of the housing 50.

The housing 50 forms a shield around the insulating member 18, the outside of the curved wire of the first electrode 13 of the monitoring capacitor 11, the outside of the common plate-like electrode 15, the monitoring volume 17 of the compensation capacitor 12 , the outer part of the curved wire 14 of the compensation capacitor 12 and parts of the electronic circuit 30. The gap volume 17 similar to the gap of the compensation capacitor 12 contains only air, while the monitoring volume 16 similar to a gap of the monitoring capacitor 11 contains air and is configured to receive wire (s) to be monitored, desirably one after the other. The monitoring volume 16 of the monitoring capacitor 11 is partially open to the exterior of the housing 50 along the direction of the insert I transverse to the longitudinal direction L through said slot 52 of the housing 50. The monitoring volume 17 The compensating capacitor 12 is closed to the outside of the housing 50 along the insertion direction I by the housing 50.

The two supports 53, 54 are positioned very close to the electrodes 13, 14, 15 along the longitudinal direction L. In other words, the first electrode 13 extends from the longitudinal level of a support surface 55 to the level longitudinal of the other bearing surface 56 and the second electrode 15 extends from the longitudinal level of one bearing surface 55 to the longitudinal level of the other bearing surface 56, such that the maximum of the wire length portion (s) supported (s) extending (s) between the two supports 53, 54 is within the electric field of the overlay capacitor 11. In other words, the first electrode 13 of the monitoring capacitor 11 extends at the level of each of the two support surfaces 55, 56 and continuously between the two support surfaces 55, 56 and the second electrode 15 of the monitoring capacitor 11 extends at the level of each of the two surface s 55, 56 and continuously between the two support surfaces 55, 56. In addition, the monitoring volume 16, the first electrode 13, and the second electrode 15 extend on both sides of the common plane 59 defined by the two surfaces bearing 55, 56 in a direction perpendicular to the common plane 59.

According to the invention, the capacitive sensor device 1 can be directly associated with a spindle separation device 300, which together form a separation module 200 that can be inserted into a warp tucking machine 100 in order to separate a predetermined number of threads, in particular individual threads and for monitoring the number of really separate threads that are inserted into the sensor device 1 and withdrawn from it one after the other. With reference to the spacing module 200 according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, the spacing module 200 moves relative to the warp sheet in the forward direction A directed toward the warp. Capacitive sensing device 1 is placed on the rear surface 306 of each spindle 301, so that a wire carried in the helical notch 305 and falling from the release edge 304 of the spindle 301 can be guided by the rear surface 306 to enter directly (at least partially / in portions) into the monitoring capacitor 11 of the capacitive sensor device 1 through the insertion slot 52 of the housing 50. The insertion direction I of the length-separated portion of the separated wire is, therefore, Therefore, parallel to the P306 plane of the rear surface of the spindle. As threads 2 are deflected by spindle 301 for the stripping process and as each thread is still deflected in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the respective warp sheet P2.1, P2.2 when resting on the surfaces of support 55, 56, the transfer of threads by the spindle 301 occurs directly in the monitoring volume 16 without additional transport means, only due to the deflection of the thread 2. The longitudinal direction L of the length portion of the thread 2 - when it extends through the supervision volume 16 of the supervision capacitor 11 - it is parallel to the length extension of the threads 2 before being separated by the spindle 301, that is to say in the warp sheets 2.1, 2.2. The longitudinal direction L of the length portion of the wire 2 - when it extends through the monitoring volume 16 - is also orthogonal to the feed direction A and the axis of rotation R of the spindle 301. In particular, in each module of In gap 200, the first electrode (emitter 13 of the supervising capacitor 11 is placed inside the spindle 301, that is, it is totally placed inside the spindle 301 in relation to the plane of the rear surface P306, with the external helical notch 305 at the level of the first electrode 13 along the axis of rotation R, with its curved portion 13.2 as close as possible to the release edge 304. Only one of the electrodes 13 of the monitoring capacitor 11 is positioned inside the spindle 301, while that the other electrode 15 of the supervising capacitor 11 is positioned outside the spindle 301. In particular, the axis of the curved portion 13.2 of the first electrode 13 of the capacitor is sup ervision 11 coincides with the axis of rotation R of the rotation shaft 302 of the spindle 301. The gap 16-like monitoring volume 16 between the common electrode 15 and the first electrode 13 of the monitoring capacitor 11 is open to the outside in an opposite direction to the direction of the insert I, the latter being orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L and orthogonal to the axis of rotation R of the spindle 301. The monitoring volume 16 similar to a gap is also open with respect to the exterior of the electrode arrangement 10 in the rear direction, i.e. opposite to the warp sheet 2.1, 2.2 and opposite to the rear surface 306 of the spindle 301, due to the 18 ° angle between the planes of the first electrode 13 and common electrode 15 of the supervising capacitor 11. The front surface 57 of each support 53, 54 is positioned inside the spindle 301, so that, along the direction of advance A, a plane P306 passing through the rear surface 306 of the spindle 301 intersects the two support surfaces 55, 56 of the supports 53, 54, in the present case at an angle equal to 90 °, preferably at an angle between 90 ° and 105 ° as well as the monitoring volume 16. In particular, the plane P306 extends between the electrodes 13, 15 at a distance from the electrodes 13, 15 of the monitoring capacitor 11 in a direction perpendicular to the stop plane P306 and is positioned , along the feed direction A, between the warp sheet 2.2, 2.3 and the yarn 2 which extends in the monitoring volume 16. Plane P306 is parallel to plane P13. In particular, the plane P306 deviates along the direction of advance A from the thread 2 which is at the edge of the warp sheet 2.2, 2.3, so that a thread 2 supported by the two support surfaces 55 , 56 is abutted with the rear face 306 which serves as a bumper surface.

In accordance with the present exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the warp tucking machine 100 comprises two spacer modules 200, one spacer module 200 for a warp topsheet 2.1, the other spacer module 200 for a bottom sheet warp 2.2, wherein the respective grooves 52 of the casings 50 of those separation modules 200 are facing each other. Furthermore, the respective housings 50 are fixed to the frame 103 that supports the respective separation device 300, so that they follow the forward movement of the respective separation device 300 relative to the warp sheet 2.1, 2.2. The plane P13 defined by the first wire (emitter) electrode 13 of the monitoring capacitor 11 is vertical (perpendicular to the horizontal plane P2.1, P2.2 of the warp sheets 2.1, 2.2) when the warp tucking machine 100 is in the working position on the clamping devices 111, 112.

A second embodiment of the capacitive sensor device 1 is now explained in more detail with reference to Figures 6-8. The basic concept of the capacitive sensor device 1 according to the second embodiment is very similar to the capacitive sensor device according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 2-5. Therefore, identical features are designated with identical reference numbers, unless explicitly stated otherwise and not explained in detail.

Similar to the first embodiment shown in Figures 2-5, the capacitive sensor device 1 according to the second embodiment is placed on the rear surface 306 of the spindle 301 with helical notch 305 and release edge 304. During the insertion into the monitoring volume 16 along the insertion direction I after the release of the threads 2 from the spindle 301, each thread 2 contacts the rear surface 306 of the spindle 301, which constitutes a stop surface 306, in the forward direction A.

In contrast to the first embodiment according to Figures 2-5. The capacitive sensor device 1 according to the second embodiment comprises a supervisory capacitor 11 and a compensation capacitor 12 which do not have a second common electrode, but each have a separate second electrode 15 ', 15 ".

Furthermore, in contrast to the first embodiment according to Figures 2-5, the capacitive sensor device 1 according to the second embodiment does not comprise first wire-like electrodes. Instead, capacitive sensor 1 comprises an insulating means 18 made of plastic that includes two parallel notches, which are parallel to the longitudinal direction L. Each of the notches defines two parallel surfaces that face each other along a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L and along a direction transverse to the direction of the insert I, which are partially coated with a metallic coating that is electrically conductive to form the first and second electrodes 13, 15 '; 14, 15 '' respective of the supervisory capacitor 11 and the compensating capacitor 12. The metallic coatings of the first notch directed to each other define the supervisory volume 16 of the supervisory capacitor 11, while the metallic coatings of the second directed notch together they define the monitoring volume 17 of the compensation capacitor 12.

The first electrode 13 and the second electrode 15 'of the monitoring capacitor 11 as well as the first electrode 14 and the second electrode 15' 'of the compensation capacitor 12 define median planes P13, P15', P14, P15 '' parallel to each other and they are aligned in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L, for example in a direction parallel to the direction of advance A. The first electrode 13 is placed inside the spindle 301, the electrodes 15 ', 15' 'and 14 outside the spindle 301 .

The thickness of the metal cladding, and therefore the thickness of the first and second electrodes 13, 15 '; 14, 15 '' of the monitoring capacitor 11 and of the compensating capacitor 12 may preferably be between 0.2mm and 0.6mm. The shape of the metallic coating and, therefore, the shape of the first and second electrodes 13, 15 '; 14, 15 '' of the supervising capacitor 11 and the compensating capacitor 12 as seen in the forward direction A can be square, rectangular, trapezoidal or a combination of them, for example including a rectangular portion and a portion adjoining similar to a trapezoid. The coating can be applied directly to the parallel surfaces of the notches. Each of the mutually directed specimen surfaces may include a recess for the coating to be applied thereon. In any case, having a mechanical coating applied directly to the same insulator 18 avoids any inconvenience due to air gaps. The The geometry of the metal coatings is preferably the same for all the electrodes 13, 14, 15 ', 15''of the monitoring capacitor 11 and of the compensation capacitor 12.

Furthermore, a distance d between the first and second electrodes 13, 15 'of the monitoring capacitor 11 along the forward direction A is equal to a distance d between the first and second electrodes 14, 15' 'of the compensation capacitor 12 along the forward direction A.

The metallic coating of each electrode 13, 15 'extends on both sides of the common plane 59 defined by the flat supporting surfaces 55, 56 formed on the metallic coating 50 with respect to a direction perpendicular to the common plane 59. The supporting surfaces planes 55, 56 extend perpendicularly to planes P13, P15 'and point opposite the insertion direction I. Each liner extends from the bottom of the respective notch to an extent of height h, the height direction being perpendicular to the plane common 59 and parallel to insertion direction I. In particular, common plane 59 can intersect and bisect the metal coating of the first and second electrodes 13, 15 'of the monitoring capacitor 11 at half height h / 2 with respect to extension the height h of each electrode 13, 15 '. Common plane 59 is spaced from or extends a certain distance from the bottom of the notch defining the supervisory capacitor. At the distance from the edges of the electrodes 13, 14, 15 ', 15' 'in the height direction, the electric field is more regular. As can be seen from Figure 6, the width of the support surfaces 55, 56 in the forward direction A is less than the distance between the first and second electrodes 13, 15 'of the monitoring capacitor 11.

For mounting on housing 50, the measurement head, which includes isolation member 18 equipped with electrodes 13, 14, 15 ', 15' ', can be coupled to housing 50 via stops, preferably via at least two stops 18/50 / L in opposite directions along the longitudinal direction L, two stops 18/50 / A in opposite directions along the direction of advance A and two stops 18/50/1 in directions opposite along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the forward direction A (for example, along the insertion direction I).

As can be seen from figure 6, the common plane 59 is deviated relative to the plane of the warp sheet P2.2, in which the yarn layer 2.2 is arranged relative to the yarn separating device 300 with spindle 301. In particular, common plane 59 is positioned between plane P2.2 and a parallel plane passing through release edge 304, the axis of rotation R of spindle 301 being outside the volume delimited between the plane of the P2.2 warp sheet and the parallel plane passing through the release edge 304.

As can be seen from figure 7, the electrical connections 150 between the electrodes 13, 14, 15, 15 '' and the electronics 31, 32, 33, 34, 120, 110 are preferably arranged on a longitudinal side of the member insulator 18 and are attached to electrodes 13, 14, 15 ', 15' 'for example by tin plating.

With respect to the second embodiment of the capacitive sensor device 1 shown in Figures 6-8, it should be noted that the demodulator 32 is operatively connected to both, to the second electrode 15 'of the monitoring capacitor 11 as well as to the second electrode 15' ' compensation capacitor 12 (as shown in figure 9).

Referring again to FIG. 9, a main controller 110 of the warp tucking machine 100 controls the top drive of sheet 101 and the bottom drive of sheet 102, spindle drive 303.1 to rotate the separating device 300 for the warp topsheet 2.1, the spindle drive 303.2 to rotate the separating device 300 for the warp bottom sheet 2.2, a transfer and knife drive 130.1 for a thread of the warp topsheet 2.1, a transfer and knife drive 130.2 for a warp topsheet yarn 2.2 and knotting unit drive 140. The main controller 110 is operatively (directly or indirectly) connected to each capacitive sensing device 1. The digital signals provided by each ADC 34 of the warp top and bottom sheet 2.1, 2.2 are analyzed by a s processor dedicated signals 120 of the capacitive sensor 1 which is housed in the frame 103 of the warp tucking machine. A pluggable / detachable electrical connection between the electronics housed in the housing 50 and the electronics housed in the frame 103 is made by the connector element (shown in Figure 2) and a complementary connector element (not shown). Alternatively, the signal processor 120 may be housed in the housing 50 of the capacitive sensor device 1. Each signal processor 120 provides information on the presence or absence of wire (s) 2 and / or information on the number of wire (s) 2 in the monitoring volume 16 of the monitoring capacitor 11 of the respective separation module 200. Each signal processor 120 can dynamically act on the associated PGA 33 to modify the amplification provided by the PGA 33. Therefore, to optimize analysis, the signal processor 120 can increase the amplification on the PGA 33 as soon as the The signal transmitted by the PGA 33 is of small amplitude in order to use the ADC 34 in its optimal range. Analog / Digital Conversion is used when needed. Each signal processor 120 is electrically and operatively connected to the main controller 110 of the warp remediation machine 100.

During separation of the yarns 2 from the warp yarn sheets 2.1, 2.2, excitation signals are regularly emitted to capacitor emitting electrodes 13, 14 11, 12 by the signal generators 31, where the excitation signals for the supervisory capacitor 11 are out of phase, that is, opposite to the excitation signal for the associated compensation capacitor 12. When a wire 2 enters the supervisory volume 16 of a supervisory capacitor 11, the signal induced at the electrode common receiver 15 or each of the second electrodes 15 ', 15' 'is further modified and processed through demodulator 32, PGA 33, ADC 34 and digital signal processor 120. As soon as the signal processor 120 detects thread (s) 2 within monitoring volume 16, issues a signal to main controller 110 to stop the advance of warp tucking machine 100 relative to the lam associated warp mine, stopping the corresponding drive 101, 102 and the rotation of the associated spindle 301, stopping the corresponding spindle drive 303.1, 303.2.

During insertion into the monitoring volume 16, each wire 2 comes into contact with the rear face 306 of the spindle 301, which constitutes a stop surface 306, in the forward direction A and with the two support surfaces 55, 56 in insertion direction I. When in contact with the support surfaces 55, 56 and the stop surface 306, a portion of the length of the wire 2 between the two supports 53, 54 is in the monitoring volume 16. Since the thread in the monitoring volume 16 is (still) retained in the associated fastening device 111, 112 and deflected relative to the plane P2.1, P2.2 of the associated warp sheet 2.1, 2.2, resting against the surfaces of support 55, 56 under tension. Since wire 2 is also deflected in feed direction A, wire 2 also rests against the stop / back face surface 306 of spindle 301, at least in two portions of wire 2 spaced along longitudinal direction L , these two portions being outside the length portion of the thread 2 that extends between the two support surfaces 55, 56. Due to the insertion under pre-tension load, the thread 2 can bounce on the support surfaces 55, 56 and the stop surface 306 and vibrate on both sides of the common plane 59. Since the wire does not move along the longitudinal direction, the capacitive sensor device 1 is only capable of monitoring a portion of the length of each wire 2 .

At least a second measurement can be performed a short time after detection of the presence of a wire in monitoring volume 16 to monitor the exact number of wires in monitoring volume 16. Since the rotation of spindle 301 and the Forward motion is holding, and since the yarn is supported by the two support surfaces, accurate measurement with limited vibrations of the mechanical parts of the warp tucking machine is allowed. The second analysis of the induced signal is performed to determine the actual number of wires in the monitoring volume 16 of the monitoring capacitor 11. A typical monitoring sequence may comprise the following steps:

- For the first thread to be monitored during the separation process, the main controller 110 consults the operator to confirm the presence of an individual thread, for example through a human-machine interface, such as a touch screen 113 connected to the main controller 110. The respective supervision signal constitutes an initial reference value that will be memorized. The single thread is then drawn from the capacitive sensing device 1, for example by a transfer device, such as a rotary clamping device, which brings the single thread to a blade and then the cut end of the thread to the knotting unit of the machine of warp tuck 100 (not shown).

- For the next threads to be measured, the procedure works as follows: if no threads are detected by a second measurement, the signal processor 120 emits an absence signal to the main controller 110 to activate the rotation of the spindle 301 again. of the separating device 300 and its advance to finally separate a wire 2 and stop the advance and rotation of the corresponding spindle 301. If an individual wire is detected, signal processor 120 outputs a "normal" signal to main controller 110 which activates the corresponding transfer device to extract individual wire 2 from monitoring volume 16. Main controller 110 then activates again the rotation and advancement of the corresponding spindle 301 of the separating device 300 to separate another wire 2. Otherwise, if two or more wires 2 are detected (higher induced signal), the respective signal processor 120 emits a signal of " defect ”to the main controller 110 that rotates the corresponding spindle 301 backwards (for example, one turn), so that the released threads 2 are brought back from the monitoring volume 16 to the helical notch 305 on the corresponding spindle 301 , for example by a projection 307 on the rear face 306 of the spindle 301 (see Figure 2). The corresponding spindle 301 then stops the backward rotation and rotates again in the normal direction (transport and separation) to again separate a wire 2 at the release edge 304 of the corresponding spindle 301. The protrusion 307 is out of the thread path when the thread 2 falls from the spindle 301 into the monitoring volume 16. This process is repeated until an individual thread is detected.

- The separation process is continued until all the threads 2 of the warp sheets 2.1, 2.2 are separated.

To ensure that separation can only be initiated if a separate individual wire has been successfully drawn from capacitive sensor device 1 by transfer device, controller 110 compares the output of capacitive sensor device 1 with information on the position of the drive 130.2 of the transfer device. While the capacitive sensor device 1 indicates that a wire is still in monitoring volume 16 while the transfer device is in a position where a wire is supposed to be pulled out from monitoring volume 16, controller 110 does not activate the separation of other threads.

In a third embodiment of the wire separation module 200 shown in FIG. 10, the wire separation device 300 comprises a suction nozzle 300 'as described in EP 1383949 B1 which moves from one side to the other relative to to the warp sheet 2.2. The direction of movement M of the suction nozzle 300 'is parallel to the plane of the warp sheet 2.2. As the suction nozzle 300 'approaches the first thread 2 at the edge of the warp sheet 2.2, the suction nozzle 300' subjects the first thread 2 to negative pressure which separates the thread 2 from the warp sheet 2.2. The suction nozzle 300 'is associated with a capacitive sensor device 1 which is very similar to the capacitive sensor device 1 according to the first and second embodiments. During the backward movement of the nozzle 300, outside the warp sheet 2.2, the separated yarn 2 is still sucked and is thus inserted into the monitoring capacitor 11 of the sensor device 1 along an insertion direction I The separated wire 2 is abutted with the two spaced support surfaces 55, 56 to monitor the length portion of the wire 2 which extends through the monitoring volume 16 between two support surfaces 55, 56 along the longitudinal direction L. When the yarn 2 is deflected and transferred to the monitoring volume 11 by the nozzle 300 within the plane of the warp sheet P2.2, the insertion direction I is coplanar with the plane of the warp sheet P2 .two. In Figure 10, the wire separation module 200 is shown only with a supervisory capacitor 11 having first and second electrodes 13, 15 (no compensating capacitors) and with bearing surfaces 55, 56 formed on an insulating member 18 .

Naturally, specific features and characteristics of the first, second and third embodiment can be combined. With respect to use in a warp tucking machine or in a warp knotting machine, the separating device 300 separates yarns from warp warped sheets. The warp is open and the wire (s) placed in the warp are transported to the monitoring volume of the monitoring capacitor. If the sensor detects a double yarn, the sensor issues a "fault" signal to the main controller 110 that stops the warp knotting machine and the main controller 110 queries, through a human-machine interface such as touch screen 113, to operator to verify the result of the operation. If two or more threads extend into the monitoring volume, the operator should remove the bad thread (s). The operator must then confirm the presence of an individual wire within capacitive sensor 1 to controller 110, via touch screen 113. After this, transfer of the separated individual wire out of the capacitive sensor may occur, and then separation of others threads outside the warp.

In the case of a knotting machine 100, with a capacitive sensor 1 associated with each separating device 300 for both upper and lower warp sheets 2.1, 2.2, the main controller 110 of the warp canceling machine 100 takes into account signals (result gap) from both signal processors 120 before activating the knotter unit and supplying new separate wires to the knotter unit. In the case of a yarn tucking machine, which includes a separating module 200, having an individual separating device 300 and a capacitive sensor 1 associated with a single warp sheet 2.1, the main controller 110 of the tufting machine Warp 100 takes into account signals (result of separation) from signal processor 120 before activating a clamp device that carries the separated thread to harness elements of a knitting machine.

In the case of a yarn tucking machine working with several warp sheets, for example two warp sheets 2.2, 2.1 (called "double beam"), which includes a separation module 200, having a separation device 300 and a capacitive sensor 1 associated with each warp sheet 2.1, 2.2, the main controller 110 of the warp tucking machine 100 takes into account signals (result of separation) from the signal processor 120 of each capacitive sensor 1 before Activate the gripper device that carries the appropriate separate thread to harness elements of the knitting machine.

In the case of a crosshead machine, with at least one separation module 200 comprising a separation device 300 and a capacitive sensor 1 for separating threads from one or more warp sheets, a main controller 110 of the crosshead machine 100 takes into account signals (result of separation) from signal processor 120 associated with wire separation module 200 before activating the crosshead device that inserts the crosshead relative to the separated wire.

In another embodiment (not shown), the plane P15 of the common electrode 15 is perpendicular to the direction of advance A. First and second electrodes 14, 15 of the compensation capacitor 12 are located inside the spindle 301, while the first electrode 13 of the supervising capacitor 11 is positioned outside the spindle 301. The electrode plate 15 has an outer curved edge that follows the circumferentially curved geometry of the spindle 301 and is inclined (10 ° to 25 °, in particular 18 °) relative to the former electrodes 13 and 14.

In another embodiment (not shown), the emitting electrode is the plate electrode and the receiving electrode is the wire electrode.

In yet another embodiment (not shown), the spacer device 300 comprises more than one spindle, for example two spindles, each with a helical notch and release edge, as described in EP 2 881 506. Capacitive sensor 1 and especially the monitoring volume 16 is placed at the rear of the second (transport) spindle, opposite the thread sheet and the first (separation) spindle, along the direction of advance.

Claims (15)

1. A wire separation module (200), comprising a wire separation device (300) for separating a predetermined number of wires (2), preferably an individual wire (2), from a layer of wires (2.1, 2.2), and a capacitive sensor device (1) for monitoring the result of separation of the wires, in particular the number of wires (2) actually separated, where the wire separation device (300) is configured to transfer a portion the length of the separated wire (s) in a monitoring volume (16) similar to a gap in a monitoring capacitor (11) of the capacitive sensor device (1), the monitoring volume ( 16) similar to a gap between a first electrode (13) and a second electrode (15, 15 ') of the supervising capacitor (11) directed towards each other and spaced transversely to a longitudinal direction (L) of the length portion of the (the) separate thread (s) when extend through the monitoring volume (16) of the monitoring capacitor (11), wherein the capacitive sensor device (1) further comprises at least two support surfaces (55, 56) to support the wire (s) ( s) separated, the two support surfaces (55, 56) being spaced along the longitudinal direction (L) and fixed relative to the first and second electrodes (13, 15, 15 '), the monitoring volume (16) of the monitoring capacitor (11) at least partially between the two support surfaces (55, 56). 2. The wire separation module (200) according to claim 1, wherein the two support surfaces (55, 56) of the capacitive sensor device (1) define a common plane (59) that intersects the first and second electrodes (13, 15, 15 ') of the supervising capacitor (11), each of the first and second electrodes (13, 15, 15') of the supervising capacitor (11) extending on both sides of the common plane (59). 3. The wire separation module (200) according to claim 2, wherein the common plane (59) intersects the first and second electrodes (13, 15, 15 ') of the monitoring capacitor (11) at half height (h / 2) with respect to a respective height extension (h) of the first and second electrodes (13, 15, 15 ') taken perpendicular to the common plane (59). The yarn separation module (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the yarn separation device (300) is configured to transfer a portion of the length of the separated yarn (s) ( s) (2) to the monitoring volume (16) of the monitoring capacitor (11) in an insertion direction (I) and each support surface (55, 56) comprises a flat surface portion pointing away from the direction of insertion (I) and that is perpendicular to the insertion direction (I). The wire separation module (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first electrode (13) and the second electrode (15, 15 ') of the monitoring capacitor (11) define, respectively, a first electrode plane (P13) and a second electrode plane (P15, P15 '), and where each support surface (55, 56) extends perpendicular to the first electrode plane (P13) and / or the second plane of electrode (P15, P15 '). The wire separation module (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first electrode (13) and the second electrode (15, 15 ') of the monitoring capacitor (11) is formed of a metallic coating on an insulating member (18). The wire separation module (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the two support surfaces (55, 56) of the capacitive sensor device (1) is deviated from a plane (P2. 1, P2.2), in which a layer of yarns (2.1, 2.2) must be arranged relative to the yarn separating device (300) for yarn separation. The yarn separation module (200) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one stop surface (306) for the separated yarn (s) to support (n) against it when it extends (n) through the monitoring volume (16), where the stop surface (306) defines a stop plane (P306) that intersects and extends at an angle (a) between 90 ° and 105 ° with respect to the two support surfaces (55, 56) and where the stop plane (P306) extends between the first (13) and second (15, 15 ') electrodes of the supervision capacitor ( 11) and is spaced from the first and second monitoring capacitor electrodes (11) in a direction perpendicular to the stop plane (P306). The wire separation module (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two support surfaces (55, 56) are formed by a housing (50) of the capacitive sensor device (1), in the an insulating member (18) is fixed that retains the first and second electrodes (13, 15, 15 ') of the supervisory capacitor (11), delimiting the two support surfaces (55, 56) the longitudinal sides of a groove of insertion (52) of the housing (50) to insert wires (2) from the outside of the housing into the supervision volume (16) of the supervision capacitor (11). The wire separation module (200) according to claim 9, further comprising an electronic circuit operatively connected to the first and second electrodes (13, 14), wherein at least parts of the electronic circuit include an amplifier programmable gain and are housed in the housing (50) of the capacitive sensor device (1). The wire separation module (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the capacitive sensor device (1) further comprises a compensation capacitor (12), having a first electrode (14) and a second electrode (15, 15 ') forming a monitoring volume (17) similar to a gap between them, where all the electrodes (13, 14, 15; 13, 14, 15', 15 '') of the device Capacitive sensor (1) are aligned in a transverse direction to the longitudinal direction (L). 12. The wire separation module (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separation device (300) comprises at least one rotary spindle (301) having an external helical notch (305), a surface rear (306) and a release edge (304) at the intersection between the helical notch (305) and the rear surface (306), where the capacitive sensing device (1) is placed at the rear of the spindle (301) with one of the first and second electrodes (13, 15, 15 ') of the supervising capacitor (11) placed inside the spindle (301). 13. A warp tuck machine comprising at least one thread separation module (200) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a controller (110) of the warp tuck machine is operatively connected to the capacitive sensor device (1) of the at least one wire separator module (200). 14. A warp knotting machine (100) for joining yarns from two different layers of yarns (2.1, 2.2), the warp knotting machine (100) comprising a respective yarn separation module (200) according to one of the Claims 1 to 12 for each of the two layers of yarns (2.1, 2.2), wherein a controller (120) of the warp knotting machine (100) is operatively connected to the capacitive sensor device (1) of each separation module of threads (200). 15. The warp knotting machine (100) according to claim 14, further comprising a yarn transfer device associated with each yarn separation module (200) to extract yarn (s) from the monitoring volume (16) of the sensor device, the controller (120) of the warp knotting machine (100) being operatively connected to a drive (130.1, 130.2) of the thread transfer device.